SE Oregon Flood Victims Start Clean-up Process

As floodwaters recede in Harney County, people are returning home to find immense damage, and in some cases, no insurance to recoup what they’ve lost.  More than 80 homes are unlivable in the Burns area.  Kat Komperda told Central Oregon Daily her family lost almost everything when their house filled with four feet of water.

"Just, pretty much the clothes on my body," she said.  "I just went out like that.”

Furniture is now molding, food has gone bad, and computer equipment she needs to work from home is destroyed.  And, Komperda said, because they’re in a flood zone, the insurance company told the family none of the damage would be covered.

Burns Police Chief Steve McCartney says water damage is only part of the problem.

“Our sewer infrastructure is absolutely destroyed from this," McCartney said.  "It will cost millions and millions to repair our sewer system.  We have people - not only the houses that were flooded here, but on the other side of town.”

Clean-up efforts are underway and the Red Cross is organizing long-term assistance for the area.

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